Feeling the need to reconnect with your natural surroundings to breathe the fresh air of the great outdoors?
The Triglav National Park in Slovenia is a true gem for all nature enthusiasts. In addition, it’s a paradise for sports enthusiasts, filled with hiking routes and the most incredible landscapes of Slovenia.
It’s the perfect place to escape to where you can recharge by getting stuck into physical activity. Check out our top hiking activities below.
The Soča Hike
The Soča Trail is a picturesque walk that follows the river from its source towards the village of Bovec. It’s pretty easy and is around 25km long. It’s a fairly flat route as you’re following the river, so you don’t have to worry about climbing peaks on this hike.
It takes around eight hours to complete, and there are bus transfers between the towns in summer to get back to the starting point.
Mostnica Gorge Hike and Voje waterfall
Mostnica Gorge and Voje Waterfall is a 13-km trail that starts from Stara Fuzina. It’s rated as a moderately difficult hike and features a stunning waterfall with crystal clear emerald green waters.
It takes around 5 hours to complete, and you reach the waterfall at the midway point. There are some nice cafes along the route to stop at for refreshments.
Goreljek Bog Hike
The Goreljek Bog Nature trail is an easy hike across the peat bog. It’s the southernmost bog in Europe and has some of the most incredible fauna and flora!
Credits: Kraji.eu
It’s a straightforward hike, around 2km, and takes an hour to complete. We’d suggest spending a bit longer, though, to discover the various species as you wander through the abundant nature. It’s one of the most relaxing and scenic routes.
Planica Tamar Hike
The Planica Tamar Valley hike is an easy expedition through the glacial valley. It’s around one-hour hiking in each direction and is an easy trail suitable for families.
It’s very scenic, walking through a pine forest surrounded by glacial peaks. However, it’s a National Park, so make sure you respect the rules and act responsibly.
Triglavska Bistrica Trail
The Bistrica trail is a 10-km hike that takes around three hours along the Alpine valley. It’s a scenic route along the valley stream, which is the perfect spot for taking a refreshing dip if you’re hiking in summer.
The water is pretty cold, so start with dipping your feet in first! It’s a fairly easy hike and is popular in the summer periods.
Tolmin Gorges of Tolminka River
The Tolmin is a 1-km long gorge stretching along the southern ended of Triglav National Park. It’s been naturally carved by the Tolminka River. It’s a 2-km hike and costs between 6-10(EURO) to access.
There are lots of interesting sites to visit, so it’s definitely worth the investment!
Vintgar gorge Hike and Šum waterfall
The Šum waterfall is located in the Vintgar gorge that stands at 13-m high. It’s a scenic walk along wooden paths that run along the mountain wall.
It takes around 45 minutes to reach the top of the waterfall, but it’s worth it for the stunning views. It’s one of the easiest hikes in the region.
Mangart Saddle Hut Hike
Mangart is one of the highest mountains in the Julian Alps. The most popular is the Slovenian Route. It’s pretty challenging, and we’d only go if you’re experienced, especially in snowy conditions.
It takes around 1hr 45 minutes to complete. There’s a hut restaurant that serves delicious Slovenian food on the saddle.
Mount Golica Trail
Ever wanted to hike in a flower-covered paradise? Then Mount Golica is the perfect spot! There are ten trails to try here, but the classic one starts in Planina pod Golico village and has an 850m ascent to reach the top.
Secret tip? Go in April when the daffodils are in full bloom. You’ll experience endless carpet fields of flowers in doing so!
Škrlatica Hike
Historically known as ‘Dry Avalanche,’ it’s a summit of 2,740m to reach the top of this mountain. There are no facilities on this hike, so bring equipment and refreshments with you.
The trail is marked, and it will take around 11 hours to complete.
Mount Špik Trail
Mt. Špik is a marked trail that starts at the village of Gozd. Its pointy summit stands out from miles away, and two marked trails lead to its top.
The Gruntovica trail is longer but more scenic. It takes around 8 hours to complete. The path is steep but not technically demanding. But be mindful if you are trekking in wet conditions for the steep descent.
Viševnik Peak Trail
This is definitely the most popular peak in Slovenia. Standing at 2000m high, the simplicity of the ascent makes this an easy hiking route for everyone.
It’s well sign-posted and takes around 4 hours to complete. You’ll find plenty of amenities in the ski villages close by.
Mount Vogel Trail
Mount Vogel sits above Lake Bohinj. It’s easily accessible and starts with a cable car ascent to the Vogel Ski Resort, where you’ll find plenty of amenities nearby.
It’s a looped trail and takes around 5 – 6 hours to complete. The distance is around 11km.
Vogar Trail
The Vogar hike offers some of the most scenic views across the Alpine hut. It offers stunning panoramic views over Lake Bohinj and is a popular spot for paragliding takeoffs if you fancy an alternative route down! However, it’s a steep hike, so proper gear is recommended.
Slemenova Špica
The Slemenova Špica is an easy trail that starts in Vršič. It takes around 4 hrs to complete. However, because it’s one of the easiest hikes, it gets busy quite quickly.
Head there early to avoid the crowds. Your reward is the chance to experience some of the most stunning panoramic views entirely to yourself whilst trekking through grassy mainlands.
Pericnik Waterfall Hike
At 52m high, Pericnik is one of Slovenia’s highest waterfalls. It’s a protected natural heritage site, but there’s no fee to enter the site. It takes around 2hrs each way to hike, and the path is easily marked.
Zajamniki
The Zajamniki hike is a pleasant exploration through the forest to the plateau of Zajamniki, which offers superb panoramic views of the Alpine. It’s 12km and takes approximately 3 hours to hike.
There isn’t so much heigh gained on this route, stretching no more than 350m. It’s effortless and stretches along country roads and tracks.
Mount Triglav Hiking Trails (highest mountain)
If you’re traveling to Slovenia, climbing Triglav (which stands at 2864m) is probably on your bucket list. There are many ways to tackle climbing Triglav. So we’ve suggested the best routes from their level of difficulty below.
Climbing Triglav from Zadnjica Valley Side
It takes around one to two days to hike from Triglav to Zadnijica valley. It’s quite a detailed route. You can read more about the route in detail here. But, it’s fairly easy to complete and doesn’t have too many challenging aspects.
It begins in the Trenta village, which has all the amenities you might need before embarking on the hike. However, whilst the first 5 hours of the climb are fairly easy, the last hour to the top is quite challenging.
There’s a still rope attached on this route, so it’s fine for beginners to tackle. You can spend one night at the Dolič Hut before beginning the descent back down to Zadnjica valley, which takes around 3-4 hours.
Climbing Triglav from Blato Meadow (The Seven Lake Trail)
The Blato Meadow route is the longest way to ascend the famous peak of Triglav. But it’s worth it! This is arguably the most beautiful trail to the peak. It starts in Blato Meadow, which lies just above Lake Bohinj.
To reach the Dolič Hut, where you’ll spend overnight, it takes around 6-9 hours, covering approximately 20 km. On the second day, you’ll summit Triglav before descending back down via the Planika hut.
From here, it’s another long hike back to the starting point but fairly flat. You’ll do around 10 hours of hiking on this day. So whilst it’s not technically demanding, this route can be quite physically challenging.
Climbing Triglav from Krma Valley Side
The route to Triglav from Krma Valley is fairly technically challenging. You’ll need climbing equipment for this, and your best way is to hike with a professional guide if you haven’t had much experience climbing solo.
It’s an overnight hike that will see you go from Krma Valley to the Triglaski dom on the first day (approx 1500m height difference). On the second day, you’ll ascend a further 400m via an exposed Ferrata to reach the summit.
Credits: Kranjska Gora
After that, you’ll head back down again. You can find a recommended guide here. It’s around 7 hours on the first day and 8 on the second.
Climbing Triglav from Vrata Valley Side
Summiting Tiglav from Vrata Valley is the most challenging route up the mountain and is only recommended for experienced mountaineers.
While the route is fairly simple from Vrata to the Luknja saddle, it gets tricky. Picture lots of exposed passages, steep terrain, and jaw-dropping ridges. The path to Plemenice is the toughest known route to Triglav, so only do this if you’re an experienced climber with your own equipment.
It takes around 11 hours to complete, which includes the 8 hours to reach the summit of Triglav.
One of the hardest elements comes at the end, with a 15m high vertical wall you have to descend called Cez Prag on your way back down to the Vrata Valley.
When is the Best Time to Hike Triglav?
The best time to hike Triglav is during the dry season, as it makes hiking much more manageable. This season starts in June and lasts until the end of September.
But we’d suggest going in June and July. Not only are the temperatures more manageable, but there are fewer crowds. September and August are full of locals during this period as it’s the Slovenian holidays.
It’s possible to take on Triglav in winter, but this means tougher conditions, so we’d reserve this period for the experienced climbers. January and February are the harshest months in the Julian Alps. So avoid climbing in these periods or if you do go, make sure it’s with a certified guide who knows the mountains well.
We’d always advise you to check the weather forecast before you climb Triglav from any route. Storms can come up out of nowhere and often- you don’t want to be mid-climb during this!
What to Pack for your Triglav Hikes?
Regarding technical equipment. We’d suggest bringing a harness, helmet, and Ferrata kit, especially if climbing Triglav. If you’re doing this with a certified guide like the one we suggested earlier, they normally supply this for you.
As for clothing, make sure you have a waterproof jacket and trousers (even in those summer months as the peak has a microclimate!) Warm clothing, shoes, and poles. It’s difficult to rent good quality shoes in Slovenia so try to bring your own.
Other items we’d suggest are a camera (of course), energy bars or snacks to have along the way, and a headlamp if you’re hiking overnight. If you have an Alpine Club Membership card, you’ll get discounts on the huts along the way.
Important: Wild camping in Triglav is prohibited
For a bag, we’d suggest a 30ltr. It’s more than enough space to fit in all your kit and isn’t too heavy for when you’re tackling more strenuous climbs!
What to pay attention to while Hiking Triglav?
As we already mentioned, pay attention to the weather and make sure you check the forecast before your climb. It’s a microclimate in the higher peaks, so the conditions can change quickly. Therefore, it’s best to be prepared for all the eventualities you might experience up there.
Make sure you follow the signs and markers. They’re well signposted, but there are different ones located throughout the mountains for alternative routes. Make sure you know your color and marker and follow this accordingly. If you want to be extra secure, you can download the app Mapme where it’s possible to download most of the routes on your phone.
Be aware of the fauna and flora in the national park. Brown bears are common in Slovenia and especially in the forests. We’d suggest reading this document which informs you of how to act should you come across one. Sightings are rare, but it’s best to be prepared just in case, especially if you are camping overnight there.
Where to stay in Triglav?
There are several places used as a base before climbing Triglav. If you’re looking to infuse some culture into your trip before your adventure, then we’d suggest the town of Bled. Famous for its lake (where you can participate in multiple water activities!) It’s a charming village with plenty of nice B&Bs to choose from.
If you are traveling soon or already on the way, you should check and quickly book the best deals you find. Bled is a popular town in Slovenia.
Villa Alpina, Lake Bled
This sustainable property is a 6-minute walk from the lake. Vila Alpina is an Alpine-style property offering air-conditioned double rooms with free Wi-Fi, just 200 meters from Lake Bled. Guests can enjoy 2 large terraces with seating areas as well as a common living area with an original rustic stove and a flat-screen TV.
Hisa Erlah Hotel, Bohinj
This property is a 4-minute walk from the beach. Located in Bohinj, 12 km from Bohinj Aquapark & Wellness Center, Hiša Erlah provides accommodation with a bar, free private parking, a shared lounge and a garden. Guests benefit from ski-to-door access, a ski pass sales point, barbecue facilities and a terrace. The property offers an entertainment team and a shared kitchen.
Triangle Boutique Hotel, Kranjska Gora
Located in Kranjska Gora, 7 km from Russian Chapel on Vršič Pass, Triangel Boutique Hotel provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a fitness center and a bar. It offers room service, a shared lounge and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The hotel offers family rooms.
The air-conditioned rooms include a wardrobe, a kettle, a safe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some have a kitchen with a dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator. Sheets and towels are provided.
Final Thought about Triglav
This park is by far one of the best places we have ever been! It it is so rich in terms of nature and wildlife. So if you are a photography enthusiast, this is heaven for you!
The park has also amazing outdoor activities. Besides hikes, you’ll find also a lot of water sports like kayaking and rafting. They are all worth the try.
That’s it folks! Happy trip!
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